Japanese carrier All Nippon Airways (ANA) is set to become the first airline, globally, to use AeroSHARK technology on its passenger and cargo aircraft.
AeroSHARK is a fuel-saving riblet film developed by Lufthansa Technik and BASF. ANA will use the system on its Boeing 777 passenger aircraft.
This is ANA’s second aircraft with the technology. ANA has operated a Boeing 777 Freighter with the riblet technology since September 2024.
The AeroSHARK film, inspired by the structure of shark skin, reduces frictional resistance, decreases fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. ANA has verified this effect since the first aircraft entered service and has confirmed the technology reduces consumption and emissions by approximately 1%.
“The implementation of the AeroSHARK technology on more ANA aircraft represents our ongoing commitment to reduce our carbon footprint and improve operational efficiency,” said Kohei Tsuji, executive vice president, engineering and maintenance centre at ANA. “This innovative technology is building a more sustainable future for ANA and the aviation industry.”
“ANA’s implementation of AeroSHARK on both freighter and passenger aircraft highlights the potential of retrofitting existing fleets to improve efficiency and reduce environmental impact,” said Joern Dahmen, senior director special engineering services at Lufthansa Technik. “We are proud to support ANA in their efforts to enhance operational efficiency and contribute to more sustainable aviation.”
ANA will continue to expand this technology to other aircraft of the same type to achieve the ANA Group’s medium- to long-term environmental goals. ANA will continue to promote sustainability management through various measures through “ANA Future Promise” initiative which aims to realize a sustainable society.
